Chapter 6 - The Phone Call Elena Hid
Elena finally told Alessandro the truth.
Three months earlier, she had received a call just after midnight.
The caller was Mia's father, Luca.
He had disappeared six weeks before.
She had believed he was gone for good.
Then his voice came through the phone.
“Don't trust anyone around the baby.”
That was all.
Elena had asked where he was.
He had refused to answer.
Then the call ended.
Two days later, a man began asking questions about Mia.
That was when Elena decided to bring her daughter into the penthouse.
She knew it was risky.
But she believed Alessandro's building was safer than the cheap apartment she could afford.
Alessandro listened without interrupting.
“Why didn't you tell me about Luca?”
“Because I didn't know if he was protecting us or leading someone to us.”
“Did he ever contact you again?”
“No.”
“Did you keep the number?”
“Yes.”
Elena reached into her bag.
Her hands shook as she handed him an old piece of paper.
Alessandro looked at the number.
He recognized the area code.
It belonged to one of the private districts where his company maintained properties.
But that wasn't the strangest part.
The number had been used only once.
To call Elena.
Then it vanished.
Alessandro immediately understood.
Luca hadn't randomly found her.
Someone had given him access to a number connected to Alessandro's private network.
Someone had wanted Luca to call.
The question was why.
That evening, Alessandro asked Elena to stay in the penthouse rather than return to the staff apartment.
She refused.
“I don't want to cause trouble.”
“You already did.”
She looked startled.
Alessandro's expression softened.
“I mean someone else's trouble.”
He glanced at Mia.
“She stays here tonight.”
Elena finally agreed.
For the first time, mother and daughter slept in a proper guest room.
But Alessandro didn't sleep.
At 2:14 a.m., the penthouse alarm gave one quiet notification.
Not a breach.
A door opened.
The laundry room.
Alessandro went downstairs alone.
The room was empty.
The blue baby bag was still there.
But beside it sat something new.
A photograph of Luca.
On the back were four words:
May you like
HE IS NOT MISSING.
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